TO celebrate English Tourism Week, East Hampshire Tourist Information Centre organised an event in Alton Town Hall.

Supported by Alton Town Council and East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), visitor attractions came together to advertise events for 2017, particularly those celebrating the anniversaries of poet Edward Thomas and celebrated writer Jane Austen.

There were nine organisations represented, including Jane Austen’s House Museum, Chawton House Library, Alton Library, Gilbert White’s House, The Watercress Line, and the Jane Austen Regency Week.

Louise West gave a short talk on the Jane Austen 200 events throughout Hampshire on behalf of the Hampshire Cultural Trust as more than 40 visitors found out what is going to be happening during the year.

Graham Haynes, manager of the Tourist Information Centre, said: “I thought the event went very well and there was a steady number of people visiting throughout. The tourism organisations I spoke to found it very worthwhile to promote what they have to offer and to highlight the events for the year.’’

Petersfield library will host a similar Tourist Information Centre open day on Friday, April 28, from 11am-1pm.

The event will be opened by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds and will include an address by Tourism South Eastchief executive Nigel Smith.